How are they made?
Carbon fiber is a cloth woven from many thin strands of graphite. The strands are laid over a mold and set with a tough epoxy resin. The crossed strands give the part its strength and the checkered pattern.
Kevlar is made at the molecular level: man-made molecules are chained into a rigid polymer crystal, which can be spun into strands or poured like a liquid.
Which is stronger?
Kevlar is extremely rigid until it starts to buckle under compression, then it fails quickly. Carbon fiber is less resistant to piercing because of its stranded build, but it is largely unaffected by high temperatures, which can weaken Kevlar.
Which is lighter?
Carbon fiber. Its stranded construction means parts can be made very thin where they do not need to be strong, which is why it is the material of choice for light aircraft and race car bodies. Where extra strength is needed, a layer of Kevlar is often added inside a carbon shell.
Which is more flexible?
Carbon fiber can be made fairly flexible depending on sheet thickness, and that flex is one way it dissipates impact energy, making it a good fit for breakaway parts such as car body panels. Kevlar is usually made stiff and rigid, because bending it can compromise its structure.
What does Special Carbon Fiber use?
Our Kevlar parts are Kevlar carbon: carbon fiber and coloured aramid woven together. You get the carbon build with a red, yellow or blue weave showing through.
